W.Va. Gov.'s Plan Offer Seen Ending M.D. Action
By Michael Ha
NU Online News Service, Jan. 10, 4:06 p.m. EST?West Virginia surgeons who took leaves of absence to protest high medical malpractice insurance costs began returning to work today after the governor proposed a measure to aid them, a hospital spokesman said.
"From what I understand, among 18 doctors who are on leaves of absence from Wheeling Hospital, Ohio Valley Medical Center and Reynolds Memorial, two are returning today and 16 are expected to return soon, within a few days," said Tony Gregory, director of communications for the West Virginia Hospital Association, a trade group representing 73 hospitals and health systems.
The doctors' decision comes two days after Gov. Bob Wise offered proposals to help West Virginia doctors during his State of the State address Wednesday.
In his speech, Gov. Wise asked state lawmakers to endorse his plan to provide $20 million to help doctors meet soaring malpractice insurance premiums and extend state-provided coverage to qualified doctors. The proposal would also cap damage awards and impose further limits on medical malpractice lawsuits.
"By and large, responses have been favorable. The governor's plan includes many of the concepts that have been recommended by doctors. The bill with the governor's proposals was introduced in the legislature today, and it is expected that House delegates will address the issue beginning next week," Mr. Gregory told National Underwriter.
At Weirton Medical Center in Weirton, where 10 doctors have been taking a leave, one returned to work today, and the hospital is expecting letters from other doctors before this weekend that would express their intent to return, said John Frankovitch, a senior administrator at Weirton Medical Center.
"We are anticipating that they will be back in a few days. They felt the governor took some very bold steps, but they understand the plan still has to go through the legislature," Mr. Frankovitch said.
Since last Wednesday, Tom Susman, the state's insurance and retirement services director, has met with more than 100 doctors and hospital officials in four separate meetings to explain Gov. Wise's proposals.
Mr. Susman said physicians across the state seem to support the governor's bill.
"I met with doctors across the state and most of the physicians on a walkout. My overall impression is that they like the proposal. I get the feeling that most doctors are extremely reasonable. They understand what the governor is doing and they understand that patient care comes first," he said.
Still, doctors said they are looking for assurances from state lawmakers that they will support the governor's plan, Mr. Susman noted.
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